Table for automobiles



spt. 19, 1939.

L. M. TROENDLE 2,173,569

TABLE Fon AUTOMOBILES Filed Nov. 18, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l Irvvenonm lAHLM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 latented Sept. 19, 1939 UNITED STATES TABLE FonAUTOMOBILES Leo M. Troendle, BrooklynyN. Y. Application November 18,1937, Serial No. 175,217

3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in tables forautomobiles, and aims to provide a novel and simple tableconstructionvthat may be readily associated with the back of the 5 frontseat structure of an automobile. Its general object is to provide atable of the collapsible type to enable the occupants of the motorvehicle to spread a lunch, play cards, use the same as writing desk orthe like. An important improvel ment on this automobile table is itsvariety of adjustments which make it adaptable to almost any automobileof standard make and of the type commonly known as sedan, coach andtouring car without changing the construction of the 16 vehicle.

K Another improvement on this table is that it can be attached to andremoved from the vehicle in but a few seconds. The. structural detailsof this table are such as to make it particularly suit- 20 able forautomobiles already in use.

One form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,in which- Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the table shelf when inposition for use and its supporting and 25 sliding members.

Fig. 2 a cross section of the table in folded position and its means ofattachment to the front seat.

Fig. 3 an enlarged fragmentary section through 30 vchannel and slide.

Fig. 4 a perspective view of the table put in position for use in anautomobile as seen from underneath.

A pair of hinge members I provided with two il openings in each at theirupper and lower ends for the reception of thumb screws 1 is fixed bymeans of said thumb screws to a pair of metal bars 6 as shown in Fig. 4and more clearly in Fig. 2. These bars are made of at steel and .40curved at the upper ends so as to t snugly over the top of the frontseat 25. The curved ends are sufficiently flexible to cause nodiscomfortto pas- `sengers on the front seat. An outline of the frontseat is shown in the drawings in dotted lines. y To 4 5 the lower endsof said metal bars 6 is attached by means of rectangular metal loops Ila pair of elastic straps IU. These straps in turnare fastened to hooks II secured to the lower frame structure of the front seat 26, Fig. 2.Said straps 50 permit extension in length and regulation of tension toconform to varying heights of front seats 'and their differingconstructions.

To avoid interference by the robe rod or ropel y found in mostautomobiles of the sedanf type on the back of the front seat, the metalbars 6 are PATENT OFFICE provided with a plurality of spaced openings 28which are threaded for the reception of thumb screws l so as to securethe hinge members I either nearer to the top of the back of the frontseat or lower as the position of the robe rod or rope may require.Another reason for this arrangement is to have the table board, when inposition for use, situated between one and about 10 inches below the topof the back of the front seat, preferably two inches, to permitpassengers on the front seat 10 to use the table with ease. v Instead offastening the table to said metal bars as shown and described in Fig. 2and Fig. 4 I may resort to the construction as shown in Fig. 1 whereinit is shown that the hinge members I are directly attached to the backwall 21 of the front seat by means of sockets 8 which are provided withinner and outer threads. These sockets are permanently set into the backwall of the front seat being screwed into nuts imbeddedin the back wallas'shown in Fig. 1. The inner threads serve to receivethe thumb screws 1which extend out of said openings of hinge members I. By this manner offastening the device the metal bars 6, straps I0 and hooks I I areeliminated entirely. 25

A pair of channel bars 2, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 are secured bypins I2 to hinge members I. To these channels is attached the tableboard I3 by means of square head bolts I6. The latter passing throughslots I1 in the channels 30 to permit the sliding of the table boardrearward, away from the back of the seat, a necessary adjustment incases of curved seat backs.' The table board I3 which may be made ofmetal, wood or any other suitable material is covered 35 on its upperside with linoleum I4. However any other washable material is suitable.A molding I5 is rmly attached to and around the table board to increaseits utility and also to prevent the staining of the upholstery in caseanything 40 is spilled. This molding I5 projects above the surface ofthe board, as shownpin Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 to prevent articlesplaced onthe table from sliding off when the vehicle is in motion. The tableboard is, when in position for use, supported by two props 4 consistingin fact of two turnbuckles 5 to effect adjustment of tate to horizontalposition. These props are co: `nected at one end to the hinge members Iby split head bolts I8 and attached at the other to slides 3. 50 Theseslides are grooved on both sides as shown at I9 in Fig. 3, so as toslide freely in channels 2 from points A to stops 20, Fig. 1, when inopen position and back to A when closed. By lifting thetable board inposition for use the slides 3 55 at the upper ends snap into position atbevelled blocks 2i bythe action of coil springs 23. Stops 20 and blocks2l hold the slides and therewith the props and the` table board in rigidposition. A pull on knobs Il returns the table to closed position. Thetable board I3 connects the bars 8 and the two sets of supportsconsisting ofhinge members l, channels 2, slides' and props 5 to formone complete table unit.

- Drawings marked Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 each show one only of the twodevices needed for the complete table unit, both ,being identical infunction and construction. z

In certain models oi.' automobiles in which the front seat is not rigid,as in so called coaches, this type of table can advantageously be usedby having the table board of a length approximating the width of eachindividual front seat. lTilting the back of the seat, side swinging theentire seat and/or adjusting it for the operators comfort does notinterfere with the table or its means of attachment.

The invention therefore contemplates the provision of a table board ofsuitable size `and design.

I am aware that prior to my invention automobile tables of various typeshave been conceived and constructed. I'therefore do not claim such adevice broadly, but

I claim: 1. In combination a folding table mounted on the back of anautomobile seat structure or the y like, a'pair of hinge members, meanssecuring move in channels 2 to stop 20. VPina 22 bevelled the hingemembers to the seatback, a pair of channel bars mounted on the undersideoi' the table, each channel bar pivoted to .the upper end of a hingemember, aslide member mounted in each channel bar and a pair of turnbuckles funcback comprises a pair of bars curved and ilexible at theirupper ends so as to fit over the top of the seat of an automobile or thelike,l apair of rectangular loops at the lower ends of said bars and apair of hooks secured to the lower part of the seat structure, and apa-ir of adjustable elastic straps connecting the hooks and the loops.

3. The combination as in claim 1 in which the means securing the hingemembers to the seat back comprise a pair of bars curved and exible attheir upper ends for hooking over the back of the seat of an automobileor the like, a pair of rectangular loops at the lower'ends of said bars,

